Flute Teaching Artist - South Side

Job Title:

Teaching Artist, Flute

Location:

Greater South Side (5410 S State St, Chicago, 60609)

Start date:

September 2026

Reports to:

Program Manager

The People's Music School is Chicago’s oldest and largest completely free nonprofit music school, providing transformational music instruction to over 800 K-12 students in Chicago. The school has a straightforward mission: to provide access to the transformational benefits of high-quality music instruction to youth who otherwise would not be able to afford it. We focus our work in communities that have been systematically excluded and marginalized from receiving a high quality music education.

Through intensive instruction and performance, The People's Music School's students grow not only musically, but also socially, emotionally, and academically, developing a foundation of responsibility, self-esteem, resilience, and purpose. From putting an instrument in an aspiring young musician's hand for the first time, to teaching students how to read and write music and perform in an ensemble, The People's Music School provides opportunity and instruction at sites located in four Chicago communities:
Uptown, Albany Park, Back of the Yards, and the Greater South Side. Students receive an average of four hours of instruction per week, at absolutely no cost, delivered by world‑class teaching artists.

The primary role of the teaching artist will be teaching small group/private lessons and delivering a curriculum that includes elements of theory, individual performance, ensemble performance, improvisation, and composition.

• Deliver high-quality instruction to students in grades 2‑12 (including theory and composition)
• Provide high-quality instruction that leads to excellence in student performance
• Act as a consistent and compassionate mentor to each student
• Establish and maintain reasonable rules of conduct within the classroom
• Modify instruction to meet student needs
• Actively incorporate pedagogical tools shared in Professional Development Meetings into classes

• Actively attend and participate in faculty meetings, adjudication of juries, and student performances
• Provide assessment of students’ musical and behavioral progress
• Discuss learning difficulties or behavior problems with Program Managers as they arise
• Collaborate with Program Manager to communicate all progress and concerns with families in a professional manner
• Regularly check and respond to email correspondence from staff, colleagues, and families
• Collaborate with families, administrative staff, and other faculty
• Create substitute lesson plans for necessary absences
• Supervise students during transitions and break time
• Submit requested materials (payroll, grading, lesson plans, evaluations, etc.) accurately and timely
• Assist with other related projects as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in music education, performance, or equivalent experience/training
• High level of personal musicianship, including music theory knowledge and performing ability
• Prior experience teaching the specified instrument or ensemble to children of varied ages and ability levels (preferred)
• Willingness to continually learn and evolve teaching practices to meet TPMS students’ needs; flexible and adaptable
• Self‑motivated and unflappable; able to work effectively in a busy school environment
• Knowledge of a diverse repertoire suitable for the age and ability of students taught
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proven experience collaborating with people from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds
• Personal commitment to the mission and values of The People’s Music School

• Occasionally required to push, pull, lift and/or move up to 20 pounds

• Part‑time position with the schedule between the hours below
• Must be available to work in person
• Greater South Side (5410 S State St, Chicago, 60609):
  Mondays and Wednesdays 4:30 – 6:30 pm

• $47–$60 per hour, depending on class type
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Sick Leave
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with employer match